The Five Best Hotel Experiences Of 2016

As a writer who travels the world in search of good stories I put in my share of hotel stays each year, and each year there are always those special properties that stay with me long after I have returned home. Now, more than ever before, properties are going the extra mile to ensure an authentic stay for guests—infusing the stay with local touches that were often missing from cookie-cutter hotels. This is true in hotels of every price range, which is progress we can all embrace. And, who doesn’t love the thrill of a new room---discovering the amenities in the bathroom, trying on the robe, reading the room service menu…indeed, checking in is a discovery every time. My favorite hotel experiences from 2016 run the gamut from a quiet house in the wilds of Scotland to a luxurious high-rise towering over Tokyo. It’s a big world; make every stay count when you travel—you can’t go wrong with these five.

Entrance to the spa at the Andaz Tokyo

Grand Hotel du Lac: This is one hotel you can earmark for lakefront luxury romance. It embodies French joie de vivre with a healthy dose of Swiss excellence. Located in Vevey, Switzerland on Lake Geneva, this part of Europe has it all: turquoise crystalline waters, majestic alpine peaks, temperate weather, medieval villages, and oh, lovely wines. Such a setting is a natural fit for luxury hotels and the Grand Hotel du Lac tops the list delivering the twin charms of intimacy and decadence. The hotel is roughly the size of a very stately mansion but things never feel cramped or small. Make sure you visit the spa—a charming little affair that specializes in bespoke skin treatments from Lausanne-based skincare specialist Pauline Burgener. In 2005 the property underwent extensive renovations and is today a Five Star Superior hotel as well as a member of Swiss Deluxe Hotels and Relais & Chateaux.

Atlantis by Giardino: This is a brilliant revival of one of Zurich’s most intriguing hotels and a must-visit for architecture and nature lovers. Resting at the base of Üetliberg Mountain, it offers guests a taste of the alpine/outdoorsy side of Switzerland, and it’s a mere 15 minutes from the city center. The hotel has a history that dates back to the 1970’s and is best known for its design features, (it is also a member of the Design Hotels collection). Back in its heyday, movie stars and athletes frequented the property often, including the likes of Muhammad Ali, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Sammy Davis Jr.

The property offers tremendous views, miles of hiking trails, and alpine quiet. Ecco Zürich is the hotel’s fine dining concept along with a decadent breakfast buffet. However, you will likely spend most of your time lounging in the large outdoor pool overlooking the forest or on the patio of the Hide & Seek lounge soaking up the sweeping city views. It’s a stylish perch infused with vintage architectural flair overlooking Zurich ---a rather unparalleled combination in this historic city.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Hotel: Las Ventanas is truly one of the most romantic properties I have ever visited. Think honeymoon or big anniversary when booking here. It’s hedonistic in every way, from ocean views to royally-inspired service, this hotel is a classic example of ultra-luxury. The hotel hugs a wide swath of ocean shoreline between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Every inch of the resort is thoughtfully composed and furnished with the works of local artisans, from tapestries and murals to light fixtures to ironwork. In keeping with the Rosewood “Sense of Place” mantra everything about this property, from native plants to cuisine, evokes the essence of Mexico’s Baja region. Be sure to book the 60 Fingers Couple’s Massage-- a ballet of fingers played out on your weary muscles with two masseuses dedicated to each person. While you are being softened and lulled by 20 fingers, you hear a deep breath—it’s the cue for the classical Spanish guitars begin--the other twenty fingers. It’s soothing, harmonious and unlike any massage I have experienced. Spend the rest of your time sipping tequila and watching whales. Breakfast is delivered daily to your private terrace overlooking the Sea of Cortez; you will want for nothing and going home is genuinely difficult—I can’t prepare you for that.

The Glenmorangie House: When I think of this charming home by the sea I remember warm convivial four-course dinners with the other guests, fireside whisky tastings, sleeping under heaping piles of downy bedding, and the pure unsullied beauty of the Scottish countryside. This manor house was once only for private use by the Glenmorangie Company— fortunately, now anyone can visit and if you are inclined to whisky, golf or nature, put it on your bucket list. Located about an hour from Inverness, in Fearn by Tain, the property is perched on a gorse-covered hillside overlooking the sea. It is indeed a decadent little Inn (just six bedrooms and a handful of cottages) --set inside a manor house built in the 1700’s. The trappings are full-on five-star complimented by some of the best service I’ve ever experienced. As whiskies go, Glenmorangie is one of the more universally admired single malts, legendary for its elegance and the house is stocked to the rafters with the distillery’s many expressions. Indeed, this is more than just an overnight accommodation, a stay here is an invitation into the deep fold of whisky.

Glenmorangie House

Andaz Tokyo: There are many luxurious places to stay in Tokyo but the Andaz gets extra points for delivering a sleek, stylishly modern Japanese experience. Rising 50 floors above downtown Tokyo, the first thing I noticed, after admiring the stunning views, was the scent. Mind you, I’m not talking about something artificial, I’m talking about the rich scent of quality furnishings, deluxe textiles and supple leather—let’s face it, you really can smell luxury. My room was a study in Japanese purity without being sterile boasting ample floor to ceiling windows and beautifully considered furnishings. I loved the thoughtful features such as the single long wood table facing east towards the morning sunrise, touch control panels at the bedside, and a minibar stocked with free snacks and drinks. The traditional Japanese bathroom with full walk-in shower and a circular tub is rather like having a mini-spa; you can binge on water in every form imaginable. You’ll also love the clean simplicity of the lounging spaces, dishing up sophistication that strikes a casually informal note. Some five-star hotels have a certain air of formality that gives me a stomachache, but this one has a mature elegance, a place where I like to think Jackie O might have stayed.

Honorable Mention:

NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón: This is a nicely styled destination boasting smartly furnished modern rooms that with an eye towards business travelers---and I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the hotel’s amazing breakfast spread (one of the best I’ve had in Europe). The hotel has an unbeatable location ---I walked to La Sagrada Familia from here, and Las Ramblas is a short eight-minute walk as well. Central location, nice modern rooms, a terrific breakfast, and good rates (around 220 Euro per night).

I’ve been trotting the globe in pursuit of wine, food and travel stories for over 16 years. From the vineyards of New Zealand to the press houses of Champagne, I’ve met a world of fascinating people who have stories to share. In between adventures I review restaurants for T...